Maths

Maths subject Leader – Miss Gregory

Introduction

At Moat Farm Infant School our vision is for all children to master an understanding and develop a love and passion for maths with high quality teaching. We are implementing the mastery approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics, with support and guidance from the NCETM Mastery Readiness Programme. Our curriculum has been designed to ensure children follow a concrete, pictorial and abstract journey enabling them to have a positive and resilient mindset towards mathematics. We have high expectations for every child, teach topics in greater depth, focus on mathematical thinking and language and calculate with confidence – but most importantly understand why it works. In order to build upon the mastery approach, we have implemented the Mastering Number Programme.

Intent

Maths is an international language and it is vital that our children are taught how to make sense of the world around them, enabling them to leave school with the skills they need for future life opportunities. Through metacognition, positive mathematical mindsets and children’s self-regulation we want every child to achieve excellence in maths. We aim to promote flexible thinking and encourage our pupils to learn from their fantastic mistakes. Our teaching staff and pupils should embrace a growth mindset in Maths. EVERYONE CAN DO MATHS: EVERYONE CAN! We want them to enjoy having the ability to solve problems, to reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately. Our vision is for children to be competent and have confidence in mathematical knowledge, concepts and skills. This will be supported by children understanding how mathematics is used in the wider world by making rich and varied real life connections.

Implementation

Maths at Moat Farm Infant School is designed around a mastery approach. All children learn the following concepts and themes throughout their lessons and additional mathematical sessions:

EYFS Concepts
• Number
• Numerical Patterns
• Shape space measure

KS1 Concepts
• Number and Place Value
• Calculations
• Shape space measure
• Statistics
• Problem solving

Themes
• Children learn through concrete, pictorial and abstract teaching
• Children develop a firm foundation in the development of good number sense
• Children are able to develop fluency, reasoning and problem solving, articulating their mathematical understanding in age
appropriate ways
• Children develop a mathematical understanding of the world around them, making connections in real life contexts
• Children develop their mental maths skill

At Moat Farm Infant School these aims are delivered and embedded through maths lessons, mastering number sessions and throughout daily discussions where real-life connections can be made.
We are currently transitioning to mixed attainment groupings, using whole class shared learning. The expectation is that the majority of pupils will move through the programmes of study at broadly the same pace. We differentiate for our pupils through questioning, support and outcome. All new ideas are built on previous knowledge and pupils have ample opportunity to develop relationships between topics.
We connect our British Values through the teaching of Maths, we explore how voting can affect data. This is covered from Reception through to Year 2 and covers Democracy.
Lastly, we aim to instil a love of maths in our children where positive attitudes, captivation and enthusiasm are nurtured. We provide children with the opportunities that they need to build self-assurance in maths and develop a secure knowledge and understanding which will prepare them well for the rest of their lives.

Impact

At the end of each year we expect the children to have achieved Age Related Expectations for their year group. Some children will have progressed further and achieved greater depth (GD). Children who have gaps in their knowledge receive appropriate support and intervention.
Book monitoring, learning walks, pupil voice and planning show progression for children and that our implementation is ensuring strong coverage of mathematical curriculum. Monitoring has shown that all children are engaged and motivated to learn in maths sessions. Pupil voice has evidenced that children have a love for maths and enjoy the subject. Children feel confident in number and operations, enjoy using the manipulatives to support their learning and feel that they are supported well in maths. Feedback from parent workshops shows that 100% of parents who attended found the workshop useful, informative and worthwhile. Parents felt more confident in supporting their child at home, in maths.

2023 data analysis shows the impact as:
– 84% of children met expected by the end of Reception.
– 74% of children met the age-related expectation by the end of KS1, with 15% achieving above.
We are proud of this!

Non-negotiables for Maths

• We all follow the Mastering Number Programme planning, teaching and learning from Reception to Year 2.
• We all consolidate learning in every maths session by including a retrieval quiz at the start.
• We all provide reasoning opportunities in our weekly planning.
• We all provide children with SEND access to the curriculum through adapted planning and resource support.
• We all share key mathematical vocabulary on our working walls and planning. This should be supported by the use of dual
coding where applicable. We ensure this is consistently shared with children.
• We all share Learning Ladybirds and Successful Spiders with children in our maths sessions.
• We all plan for next steps and extension opportunities for children.
• We all complete daily assessments which inform future planning. We complete half termly assessments based on skills taught
throughout previous weeks.
• We all expect children to respond in full sentences or stem sentences.

End of Key Stage Intentions for Maths

By the end of EYFS pupils will demonstrate the following:
• Count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20 (order, find one more or one less than a given number);
• Using quantities and objects, they can add and subtract 2 single-digit numbers and count on or back to find the answer;
• Solve problems, including doubling, halving and sharing;
• Use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money to compare quantities and objects
and to solve problems;
• Recognise, create and describe patterns;
• Explore characteristics of everyday objects and shapes and use mathematical language to describe them.

By the end of KS1 pupils will demonstrate the following:
• Develop confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting and place value. This will involve working with numerals,
words, the four operations and fractions (using practical resources)
• Recognise, describe, draw, compare and sort different shapes and use the related vocabulary. Use a range of measures to
describe and compare different quantities such as length, mass, capacity/volume, time and money.
• Recall and use addition and subtraction facts to 20 fluently, and derive and use related facts up to 100
• Use mathematical language to explain reasoning.

Books that inspire maths – Click one to enjoy